Both teams are ranked, they enter this game with a combined 9-1 record and rely on defense. Kansas State allows 15.6 points per game, has forced 13 turnovers and registered 14 sacks. Iowa State allows an average of 15.8 points per game with 12 turnovers and 11 sacks. Three of the best linebackers in the Big 12 will be on the field – the Wildcats' Arthur Brown and the Cyclones' duo of Jake Knott and A.J. Klein. How quarterback Collin Klein and the K-State offense fares against the Iowa State defense could decide the outcome.

The Red River Rivalry in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas matches two desperate teams. Each enters the game with 1-1 Big 12 records; a second league loss this early in the season likely scuttles any Big 12 title hopes. Oklahoma is coming off its best game of the season, a domination of a solid Texas Tech team. Texas has had trouble stopping the run the last two games but hopes the return of linebacker Jordan Hicks will bolster the defense. In last year's 55-17 loss, UT gave up three scores to OU's defense via turnovers.

Oklahoma State administered a major beat down last season, romping past Kansas 70-28 in Stillwater. The Cowboys led at halftime 56-7. While the Jayhawks are 1-4, their losses have come after keeping the score close in the first half. Kansas is coming off a 56-16 loss at Kansas State; KU trailed 21-14 at halftime. Oklahoma State leads the nation in total offense and scoring offense plus is in the top 13 in six other offensive categories. The Cowboys' James Randle leads the Big 12 in rushing while Kansas' Tony Pierson and Taylor Cox rank eighth and ninth.

West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said this week he doesn't know the meaning of the term "trap game." This is it. The Mountaineers travel to Lubbock following an emotional 48-45 victory at Texas and on Oct. 20 will return home to face Kansas State for what could be a top five showdown. The Red Raiders, meanwhile, want to start winning at home. Texas Tech has lost its last five Big 12 games at Jones AT&T Stadium and coach Tommy Tuberville is 1-7 in Big 12 home games.

TCU will start redshirt freshman Trevone Boykin at quarterback for the second consecutive week. The Horned Frogs have struggled with turnovers; they lead the Big 12 with 14, which cancels out the 14 they've forced. TCU's young defense will be challenged to stop Baylor's offense. Senior quarterback Nick Florence leads the nation in total offense and the Bears average 54 points and 601 yards per game. The last time these schools met was conference foes was 1995. The series is dead even; each school has 50 victories and there have been seven ties.

For the first time this season, all 10 teams will be in action during the same week as five Big 12 matchups are on the slate for Oct. 13. Top 25 games include K-State at Iowa State and Texas vs. Oklahoma.

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Nine Big 12 teams are either ranked or receiving votes in the national polls, with Iowa State entering the rankings for the first time since 2005 at No. 25 in the Harris Interactive and coaches polls. This week marked the HI's first rankings of the season.

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The Big 12 has six teams rated by both the Harris Interactive and coaches polls with two in the top five and four in the top 15. West Virginia, K-State, Oklahoma, Texas and TCU join Iowa State as rated teams.

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The Big 12 is the only league with eight teams with one or fewer losses on the season.

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The Big 12 has the top three teams in total offense; seven in the top 25 in scoring offense; and five in the top 25 in scoring defense.

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All 10 teams are in the top 27 of NCAA leaders for toughest schedule, sorted on cumulative opposition.

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The Big 12's non-conference record is 26-3 to lead the nation with a .897 non-conference win percentage. The three non-league losses are the fewest of all FBS conferences.

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Since last season, the league is 53-6 in non-conference games (.898 win percentage), and is 59-8 (.881) including bowl games.

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The Big 12 is 52-5 in non-league games in the month of September in 2011 and 2012 combined.